NATA-AOSSM Pre-Conference - When Seconds Matter: Managing Cardiac, Head and Spine Emergencies in Sport

NATA Pre-Conference Session
Seattle, Washington - July 8, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PDT
4.5 Category A CEUs


Member: Early $175 / Regular $200
Nonmember: Early $475 / Regular $500
*Early pricing ends May 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.


This registration is for the preconference session only.

Registered NATA meeting attendees have the option to add a one-day registration to the AOSSM Annual Meeting at a reduced rate of $365 per attendee, providing access on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Learn more and purchase this registration option here.

When Seconds Matter: Managing Cardiac, Head and Spine Emergencies in Sport

Overview:

This 4.5-hour pre-conference session on emergencies in sport, held in conjunction with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), is designed for certified athletic trainers and team physicians. The program will focus on the management of three of the most critical emergency situations in sport: sudden cardiac arrest, head injuries, and cervical spine injuries. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and coordinated roles among athletic trainers, physicians, and EMS personnel. The session will also highlight the importance of a well-developed and rehearsed Emergency Action Plan (EAP), established emergency protocols, and the use of the pre-event medical timeout to enhance preparedness and team communication. The conference will incorporate didactic presentations, case studies to facilitate integration of care concepts, and hands-on laboratory activities. Content will be grounded in evidence-based medicine and reflect current best practices in both sports medicine and emergency care.

Objectives:

1. Describe the pathophysiology, recognition, and immediate management priorities of sudden cardiac arrest, catastrophic cervical spine injury, and sport-related head injury in the athletic setting.
2. Explain the critical components of an effective Emergency Action Plan (EAP), including personnel roles, equipment readiness, venue-specific considerations, and communication pathways among MDs, ATs, and EMS.
3. Demonstrate appropriate interdisciplinary response techniques for airway management, spine stabilization, equipment removal, AED deployment, and head injury assessment through case-based and scenario simulations.
4. Differentiate leadership roles and responsibilities of physicians, athletic trainers, and EMS providers during time-sensitive emergencies to optimize coordinated team performance.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-event medical time-out and emergency rehearsal in reducing response delays and improving patient outcomes during athletic emergencies.
6. Develop a venue-specific, interdisciplinary emergency preparedness framework incorporating EAP review, role assignment, communication strategy, and post-event debriefing for implementation within participants’ own organizations.

For additional session information including lecture topics, laboratory stations, presenters, and refund/cancellation information, visit the AOSSM-NATA Pre-Conference event page.